CentraState receives Special Initiatives Grant from Kessler Foundation

Freehold, NJ (10/29/19) – CentraState Healthcare Foundation is pleased to announce it recently received a $15,000 Special Initiatives grant from Kessler Foundation for the CentraStrides for MS program.

CentraState Medical Center’s Linda E. Cardinale Multiple Sclerosis Center will use these funds for the new nine-week adaptive horseback-riding program – CentraStrides for MS. Thirty individuals with MS will participate in the program, which is centered around learning horsemanship skills, herd dynamics, emotional insight, and the therapeutic benefits of the movement of the horse. Research shows that engaging in horseback riding can improve quality of life and improve physical function for many people with MS.

This project represents a collaborative effort between CentraState Healthcare System’s Linda E. Cardinale Multiple Sclerosis Center in Freehold, NJ, and Special Strides, Inc., in Monroe, NJ (www.specialstrides.com), a non-profit, multi-disciplinary therapy clinic and adaptive riding center providing equine-assisted activities and therapy for individuals with special needs.

Dr. Brian Mason, Clinical Director of Rehabilitation Services at CentraState states, “Our staff and patients are very grateful for Kessler Foundation’s support. Without the help of these benevolent forward-thinking philanthropists, we could not continue to offer valuable programs such as CentraStrides that improves the quality of life for multiple sclerosis patients.”

“We are pleased to partner with CentraState on this program,” said Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, Senior Vice President for the Center for Grant-making and Communications at Kessler Foundation. “Improving the lives of individuals with MS is a major focus of our rehabilitation research. Using this novel therapeutic approach, CentraStrides complements our efforts, and helps extend the impact of our research and employment programs.”